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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

"Linux Lite 1.0.4 final for 32-bit processors with PAE support has been released. If you already have the CVF version installed, there is no immediate need to install this final version, just keep updating via Install Updates on the Menu. The only change of note is the updating of the Help & Support manual. Changelog: all system software updated; Firefox 18.0, added new default theme and icon set; added Steam for Linux (requires NVIDIA driver 304.22 or higher or ATI experimental drivers); added keyboard shortcuts information to the Help & Support manual; added open USB storage device in file manager on insert; added two new right-click menu options, Task Manager and Screenshot; replaced PCManFM with Thunar...."

Linux Lite is based on the long-term-support version of Ubuntu, so it will be maintained until 2016. It recommends 512 MB and a Pentium III.

The live disk and installer are based on Ubuntu (without the current bugs), so the Ubuntu installation instructions can be used by those unfamiliar with partitioning, etc. Encryption is available.

The desktop is a standard Xfce, although some components are missing, like Xfce-goodies and Catfish. The software includes LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Mumble, Xchat, Gimp, and VLC. Running from the CLI revealed a number of gtk warnings, but nothing serious. Flash and the media codecs are installed, and also a beta-test version of Steam. LibreOffice comes without any dictionaries. VLC will not work with some video drivers. I installed Parole, which also failed, but that could be cured by reconfiguring with the command ‘parole --xv false’. Extra software is installed with Synaptic from the Ubuntu repositories.

There was the usual shortage of configuration tools one associates with Debian and Ubuntu. To enable my USB speakers I had to edit two separate configuration files and reboot. There were no tools for controlling services and the firewall: in fact, there’s no firewall. If a distro is too large for a CD, there seems no reason to omit commonly-used software: one would like a firewall, the rest of Xfce, more configuration tools, Pidgin, a music manager, a dictionary…

Nevertheless, Linux Lite is well worth considering among the Debian/Ubuntu devivatives with Xfce: better than Xubuntu, if not as good as Saline.